Senior Executive Seminar 2024 was held at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies from May 13-17, 2024 and brought together forty-two military and civilian practitioners for four days of discussion. The participants represented twenty-eight states and nearly forty governmental and non-governmental organizations, each with a unique understanding of current and emerging challenges confronted by their respective countries and the broader Trans-Atlantic community. 

The 2024 iteration of the course was unique for its thematic, as opposed to regional, focus and centered on strategic competition within the space and maritime domains. Participants gained newfound perspectives on the enduring relevance and evolving threats of both environments, from the emergence of low-cost unmanned systems in sea-denial campaigns to the confluence of state and private sector operators in outer space. This report will begin by establishing a contextual overview of the current strategic environment, before conceptualizing maritime and space challenges through four lenses – technology and the environment; security and defense; international law and governance; and partnerships and cooperation. Finally, the report will conclude by outlining actionable measures for the Euro-Atlantic community and its external partners to strengthen the rules-based order within these key domains. 

About the Author
Mathias Katsuya is a final-year undergraduate student of International Relations at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He has worked for the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies as both an intern and adjunct, where he supported the Senior Executive Seminar and graduated from the Program on Terrorism and Security Studies. Mathias has also conducted research for NATO’s Joint CBRN Defense Centre of Excellence, examining CBRN counterterrorism cooperation between NATO and European Union police services. His research interests largely center on irregular warfare and counterterrorism, particularly regarding civil-military cooperation in addressing emerging strategic threats.

The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany is a German-American partnership and trusted global network promoting common values and advancing collaborative geostrategic solutions. The Marshall Center’s mission to educate, engage, and empower security partners to collectively affect regional, transnational, and global challenges is achieved through programs designed to promote peaceful, whole of government approaches to address today’s most pressing security challenges. Since its creation in 1993, the Marshall Center’s alumni network has grown to include over 16,000 professionals from 160 countries. More information on the Marshall Center can be found online at www.marshallcenter.org.

The Clock Tower Security Series provides short summaries of Seminar Series hosted by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. These summaries capture key analytical points from the events and serve as a useful tool for policy makers, practitioners, and academics.

The articles in the The Clock Tower Security Series reflect the views of the authors and are not necessarily the official policy of the United States, Germany, or any other governments.